The Chameleon's Shadow (2007)

Even though I usually have a book on reserve to pick up when I go to the library, certain authors can cause me to impulsively grab something I've missed. This time it was British mystery writer Minette Walters The Chameleon's Shadow. As in the Sculptress, protagonist lieutenant Charles Acland is a damaged soul. Having returned from service in Iraq, badly hurt and disfigured, Charles comes under suspicion repeatedly because of his explosive temper. The book jacket refers to the story's "psychological complexity" and "unstoppable suspense". A very satisfying read. (4 out 5)

Every Secret Thing (2003)

Every Secret Thing by Laura Lippman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Laura Lippman does something that not every author achieves. She gets just enough inside the minds of her characters to let us know that other people think differently than we do. Minette Walters and Ruth Rendell have done that for me as well. So what we are left with is maybe not evil intent but something that is even more insidious.

Although I automatically will pick up a title by Laura Lippman, the plot of this tale was fascinating. Two eleven year old girls have been incarcerated for kidnapping and killing a child. Seven years later, shortly after being released, a similar kidnapping occurs. Coincidence or connection?



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